Homeopathy

What is Homeopathy?

What is Homeopathy?

A therapeutic system founded by the German doctor Samuel Christian F.Hahnemann, Meissen, Germany 1755 – Paris, 1843. In 1790, Samuel Hahnemann observed that the plant Cinchona, containing quinine, administered in high dosage to a healthy individual, provoked an intermittent fever, and that this same remedy, taken in infinitesimal dosages, cured this symptom in an individual suffering from the same type of fever. He proved this principle on himself and other healthy individuals. This accidental experience laid down the stepping-stone of Homeopathy.

Fundamental Principles of Homeopathy

Every science has certain basic principles which guide the whole system. Homeopathy as a science of medical treatment is based on certain fundamental principles.

The law of Similar

Homeopathy is a system of medicine founded on a definite law ‘Similia similibus curantur’ which means’ like cures like’. The word Homeopathy is a Greek deviation where HOMOEO = similar and PATHOS = disease.

According to this principle homeopathy remedy when administrated to a healthy person will produce a set of symptoms. When this homeopathy remedy is administered to an individual with the same or similar set of symptoms, in a diseased state, it will cure by boosting the body’s natural responses.

The law of Infinitesimal

This is based on the principle that smaller the quantity of the medicinal substance, greater is its effect. A drop of the crude medicinal substance (plant tincture, chemicals etc) is added to 99 drops of alcohol and given 10 strokes. This is the 1st potency or 1C. A drop of this is further added to 99 drops of alcohol and after 10 strokes you get 2C. Similarly when 1 drop of medicine is added to 10 drops of alcohol, the first potency is 1X. Higher the potency, lesser is the material dose, and stronger is its effect. Commonly prescribed strengths are 6C, 30C, 200C, 1000 (1M), 10000 (10M), and 3X, 6X, 30X (C=Cent i.e. 1 drop in 100 drops & X=Decimal scale i.e. 1 drop in 10 drops).

The law of Individualization

In Allopathy or modern medicine two persons suffering from the same disease is usually treated using the same medicine. However, a Homeopathic physician does not label a patient by the disease condition but considers a prescription based on the totality of both the mental and physical characteristics of the patient. Thus every case is different and needs an individualistic prescription.